Why the time may be right for Vallejo to request school bonds

A polling consultant informed the Vallejo, Calif., school board on Wednesday that the district is in a unique position after survey results revealed residents support a possible school bond but they don't trust the district.

At least 61 percent of the 601 interviewed by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) said they would support a Vallejo City Unified School District bond.

Vallejo High School
C.C. Sabathia, now close to a deal with the Yankees played football, baseball, and basketball at Vallejo High School in Vallejo, California. Photo: Heidi Schumann for the New York Daily News. Original Filename: IMG_6200.jpg

However, just 29 percent of the same people surveyed said they have a favorable view of the district while a majority of the participants, 57 percent, said they have an unfavorable view of the VCUSD.

This is the third survey conducted since June 2013 to ascertain the public's views on a possible school bond.

Prior to Wednesday's results, the last bond survey held in January 2016 concluded confidence in the district was around 37 percent with about 40 percent of those surveyed viewing the district unfavorably.

Curtis Below with FM3 presented the results to the board. He advised the board to consider a Proposition 39 bond which only requires 55 percent approval.

Larger amount bond requires a 66 percent approval by voters.

The district was snake-bitten in 2014 when it attempted to get a $239 million bond approved by Vallejo voters. While receiving a healthy 61 percent "yes" vote, it was still short of the two-thirds required for passage.

Below said 69 percent of those surveyed last year supported the bond but after applying critical analysis of a possible bond, the support dropped to 61 percent.

Enough support, Below said, for a smaller Prop. 39 bond.

Mare Island Technology Academy Director/Superintendent Matt Smith addressed the board, stating he'd like to see the independent charter school receive some funding from a possible bond.

"We have a large and very willing population that would be eager to support a bond measure that included some kind of relief for our very miserable facilities," said Lynne Vaughan MIT Board Chair.

Meanwhile, district watchdog Allan Yeap also expressed support for a possible bond.

"I hope the bond passes," he said. "I've seen the poor conditions of the schools."

Two years ago, after paying for polling services, the five-member school board failed to place two companion general obligation bond measures on the November 2016 ballot.

District staff had recommended placing the two $139 million bonds on the fall ballot to repair school facilities. One measure was reserved for middle and high schools facilities, while the second was intended to assist the district's elementary schools.

Four out of the five trustees were needed to vote "yes" to place one or both measures on the fall ballot. Trustee Ruscal Cayangyang and board President Burky Worel declined to support the measures -- effectively killing the district's chances of placing the bonds before the voters.

Next up, a bond oversight committee is expected to be formed with the board deciding to place any measure on the November ballot sometime in July.

Tribune Content Agency
School bonds Bond elections California
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